Research internship defined
What is a research internship?
Answer ID 3499 | Last updated on 09/01/2025 12.42 PM
A research internship is defined as an agreed position with an external research end-user (REU) organisation when a student enrolled at UWA undertakes research and development (R&D) activities related to their area of research in their higher degree by research (HDR) studies for a minimum of 60 FTE business days over at least 3 calendar months.The R&D activities may be embedded during the studies or as a standalone project.
Examples of research internship pathways:
- You have an industry funded scholarship (or part funded) such as through an Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) and need to complete 6-12 months in R&D placements with a host organisation.
- Your industry (REU) funded scholarship (or co-funded scholarship) is for the full duration or part duration of your PhD studies and your research is embedded or is a discrete R&D project is to be completed through engagement with that REU.
- You have an Industry PhD award (e.g. CSIRO, National Industry PhD).
- Your PhD research involves a REU in lab work, collection of data, data analysis, reporting or other R&D tasks.
- You have external ethics approval & your R&D activities are clearly defined in the application (e.g. Health Services)
- You have a Project Agreement with a REU or industry partner (e.g. CSIRO, consultancy agreement).
- You have a Services Agreement with a REU to perform R&D activities (e.g. Contract to provide a professional service)
- You have a Data Agreement with a REU and are using the data & reporting to the REU.
- Your supervisor may involve you with R&D project work as part of a Research Agreement with a REU (e.g. ARC or CRC research agreement).
- Your employer is a REU and provides the opportunity for a defined R&D project for you to complete over 3-6 months (separate to your day-to-day role or via a secondment).
- You may be employed with a REU to complete a R&D project during a summer vacation program over 3 months.
- You apply for a 3-6 month research internship directly with a REU and are offered a contract.
- You apply for an advertised 3-6 month research internship with a REU and are offered a contract.
- You volunteer with an organisation and undertake a research project with the organisation confirmed in writing.
A research internship can be either paid or unpaid and can form part of HDR enrolment. The research internship is a written document, providing start & finish dates, outlines the R&D activities to be undertaken and details the arrangements (including supervision, insurance, IP, copyright, publications) signed by you, your supervisor, REU, and authorised by the University.
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